Georges Bontemps (1799-1884) was probably the most skilful and adventurous European glass works manager of his age. His life began inauspiciously because he was illegitimate and ignored by his father, a graduate of the Ecole polytechnique and army officer. In 1817 Georges was refused entry to the Ecole polytechnique, despite having done well in the entry examination. Bontemps then became assistant to Dartigues, owner of three separate works making lead crystal, and was soon managing the glass making at Baccarat. By 1822 he was directing the glass works at Choisy-le-Roi which was unusual in making several kinds of glass including window glass, lead crystal, domestic wares such as drinking glasses, stained glass windows, and optical glass. At Choisy-le-Roi he was responsible for several major advances. He remained there until 1848 when he moved to England to work for Chance Brothers in Smethwick for six years before returning to France. His Guide du Verrier, published in 1868, is the most detailed known authoritative description of the glass making practices of his time. Its seven sections describe the techniques of glass melting and making window glass, plate glass, bottles, lead crystal, optical glass, and stained glass windows. Bontemps had firsthand experience of all of these except making cast plate. Dozens of batch recipes are given, especially of coloured glasses. The book is copiously illustrated. One of its unique features is an analysis of the economics of the process at the end of each section.

This is the second of three volumes illustrating progress in understanding glass making from the 17th century to the early part of the 19th. Translated by Michael Cable, Including essays on faience and the assaying of ores. Published 1758-80

A History of the Firm of Chance Brothers & Co., Glass and Alkali Manufacturers. by J. F. Chance Foreword by Michael Cable

This is the eighth and last in a series of books which cover the period from 1612 to 1926. These were written by acknowledged European authorities and allow modern readers to gain some insight into understanding of glass technology at the times when these books were written.Chance Brothers produced just about every form of glass from scientific equipment to tableware. They made the glass for the Crystal Palace of the Great Exhibition in 1851 but the company also made some 2300 lanterns for lighthouses around the world. This book covers the company history to 1919 with a postscript from January 1926.

Antonio Neri Professor Michael Cable has edited a new collected volume including the renowned translation by Christopher Merrett of L'Arte Vetraria by Antonio Neri. Merrett translated the Italian's book in 1662, adding his own observations which were almost as long as the original text. "The World's Most Famous Book on Glassmaking" was then quickly translated into Latin, German, French and Spanish and was used as a reference source for glass makers for the next 100 years. ISBN 0-900682-37-X. Paperback.

APSLEY PELLATT (1791-1863) was a well-known London glass-maker who took over the family firm in 1826 on the death of his father. This volume, the fourth in this chronological series, includes all known publications by Apsley Pellatt and his father, Apsley senior, who has until now been ignored in the literature. 300 pages, 156x234 mm, softback, black and white illustrations and colour plates. ISBN 0-900682-54-X